Chapter 8

Lucio and I returned to the Corleone estate once more. I stood by the window, feeling confused and upset. "Are you alright, Elvira?" Lucio asked from behind me. "My mind's a mess," I replied in a low voice. "You're my enemy." He walked closer. "I wasn't the Don back when the situation with your father happened. I only officially ascended to power after the shoot-out at the dock. Hatred toward a family shouldn't extend to the individual, don't you think?" He continued, "Your hatred toward the Corleone family is a thing of the past, but I've been searching for you for three years, Elvira." He took a step forward, coming so close to me that I could smell him. "Why?" I heard myself ask hoarsely. His gaze landed on my face. "To find out whether the person who'd shown me warmth on the rainy night at the dock was someone I'd hallucinated while at death's door," he replied quietly. I lowered my head. "Even if we set all else aside, we don't really know each other." "Before making a